Near Stony Creek in Sussex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Sappony Church

Hampton’s Cavalry: "Too strong to be overcome"

— Wilson-Kautz Raid —

Sappony Church CWT Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

1. Sappony Church CWT Marker

Inscription. In June 1864, to deny Gen. Robert E. Lee the use of the South Side R.R. and the Richmond and Danville R.R., Gen. Ulysses S. Grant sent Gen. James H. Wilson and Gen. August V. Kautz south of Petersburg on a cavalry raid to destoy track and rolling stock. While returning to the safety of the Union lines at Petersburg after accomplishing most of his mission, Wilson learned on June 28 that a small force of Confederate infantry and cavalry was posted here. About noon, Wilson attempted to force his way through to Ream’s station just as Confederate Gen. Wade Hampton’s cavalry appeared, and the two forces collided. The Federals checked the Confederate assault and both sides engaged in a series of unsuccessful counterattacks. By 10 p.m., Wilson had decided to sidestep Hampton’s right flank and reach Ream’s Station by an old stage road. In the confusion of battle, darkness, and ignorance of the terrain, the Federals stumbled through the gloom until they finally found the correct road to Ream’s Station. Sharp skirmishing continued through the night as the Confederates attempted to flank Wilson’s rear guard. At daylight. coordinated

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Confederate counterattacks split the Federal force and about 800 Union cavalrymen were captured.

“The scouts having reported what road the enemy were marching on, I notified the general commanding of their position, and informed him that I should attack them at Sappony Church… [Gen. John R.] Chambliss, who was in front, was ordered to push on to the church and charge the enemy as soon as he met him.” - Gen. Wade Hampton

“That you may form some idea how completely routed and demoralized the enemy were, I will tell you an incident. Trooper John M. Eisom, Co. F, 10th Va. Cavalry, with two others of the 13th Va. Cavalry, whose names I could not learn, were sent on a scout after the enemy. This party met with one hundred and two Yankees, mounted and equipped, who immediately surrendered to the three troopers spoken of, and were escorted safely into our lines with their horses, saddles, sabers and guns!” – Correspondent, Richmond Daily Dispatch, July 6, 1864

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil.

Sappony Church Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

2. Sappony Church Map

In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1864.

Location. 36° 56.754′ N, 77° 27.183′ W. Marker is near Stony Creek, Virginia, in Sussex County. It is at the intersection of Sussex Drive (Virginia Route 40) and Concord Sappony Road, on the left when traveling west on Sussex Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stony Creek VA 23882, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sappony Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Sussex County / Dinwiddie County (approx. 2.1 miles

Sappony Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

3. Sappony Church Marker

away); Bruce Oliver Tucker (approx. 2.4 miles away); Confederate Cannon (approx. 2.9 miles away); Defence of Stony Creek (approx. 3 miles away); History At Stony Creek (approx. 3.3 miles away); Nottoway River Crossings (approx. 4.4 miles away); Prince George County / Sussex County (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stony Creek.

More about this marker. On the lower left is a sketch entitled "Going into action". Etching by Edwin Forbes. On the upper right is a photo of "Gen. Wade Hampton" and a map of the action.

Sappony Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

4. Sappony Church

Sappony Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 15, 2013

5. Sappony Baptist Church

Close up shot showing where the Cannon balls struck the front of the church

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,317 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on November 3, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.